Trouser leg display apparatus



Feb. 27, 1951 J, J, OWENS 2,543,298

TROUSER LEG DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed Feb. 18, 1949 Inventor By John J Owens I Patented Feb. 27, 1951 TROUSER LEG DISPLAY APPARATUS John J. Owens, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Johnnie Walkers Stores, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application February 18, 1949, Serial No. 77,120

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for displaying the bottom portion of a pair of trousers. The display may be that of a pair of trousers partially or completely fabricated, or may be of a piece of fabric folded in such a manner as to simulate the bottom of a pair of trousers and thus to indicate the appearance of a pair of trousers made from such fabric.

In displaying trousers, especially the leg portion of a pair of trousers, it is desirable that the bottom have a knife-edge crease. Furthermore, although ready made trousers are commonly carried in retailers stock without a cuff, it is desirable that such trousers be displayed as though the cuff were already formed. In addition, it is desirable that the trouser display device be adapted for use with trousers of various sizes.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a trouser leg display device capable of displaying th trouser leg of a finished or unfinished pair of trousers, in either event the display indicating a cuif. In the case of a trouser leg that is unfinished and therefore does not yet have a cuff, the cuff effect is obtained by folding the fabric at the bottom of the trouser leg in such a manner as to simulate a cufi and then, by means of the device of the present invention, folding the fabric taut so that it remains in its folded position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a trouser leg display apparatus which may be used with trouser legs of different sizes. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a trouser leg display device which is very simple in construction and which can be readily adjusted to different pants leg sizes and which can be easily and readily folded into a compact package as required for shipment or storage.

The attainment of the above and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of the invention, a small portion being in section;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure l in the direction indicated by arrows;

Figure 3 is a plan sectional view taken along the line 33 of Figure l and looking in the direction indicated by arrows; and

Figure 4 is a View in perspective of the embodiment of Figure 1 illustrating the manner in which a trouser leg is disposed thereon.

Referring now to the drawing, it will be seen that the display device of the present invention, generally designated by the numeral l0, comprises a back member in the form of a wood frame l2 having an upper member l4 and a lower member [6 of lesser length than the upper member 14, the outer ends thereof being connected by side members 18 to form a downwardly tapering frame. In the center of the under surface of the upper member i4 is a cylindrical bore or socket 2G. Substantially at the center of the upper surface of the lower frame member I6 is a bolt 22 on which is threaded a wing nut 24 for purposes hereinafter set forth.

Journalled in the socket 2?) is the upper end portion 25 of a continuous support and shaping wire frame 28. The frame 28 consists of a wire bent so that it has, in succession, the aforementioned upper end portion 26, a short segment 30 at right angles to the end portion 26, an elongated portion 32 extending downwardly and outwardly to a point opposite the bottom of the frame [2, a re-entrant or U-shaped bend 34, and a portion 36 extending to the upper surface of the lower frame member l6. At the end of the latter portion of the wire 28 is a loop or slideportion 38 formed by a re-entrant or U-shaped' bend 4!! which is at right angles to the plane of the U bend 34 and is closed by a right angle bend 42. The slide 38 embraces and is guided by the bolt 22, and may be locked in any desired. position by tightening of the wing nut 24. A washer 44 is provided to aid the clamping action: of the nut 24. The longitudinal axis of the bolt 22 is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the bore 26. These axes extend longitudinally of theframe member l2 substantially centrally between the lateral sides It thereof and constitute the aXis' about which the frame 28 is pivoted. It will. readily be seen that the spacing between thelower end of the elongated portion 32 and the bottom member Iii of the frame may be adjusted by loosening of the nut 24 and sliding of the slide or loop 38 with respect to the bolt 22. Sliding is permitted by the loose journalling of the upper end 26 in the socket 20 and by the flexibility of the wire 28. The limits of the sliding action are set by the inner and outer ends 46 and 42 of the slide or loop 38. When the wing nut 24 is loose, the entire frame 28 may be pivoted freely with respect to the frame l2, and may be folded substantially flat against the frame. The lower end of the elongated portion 32 has serrations or notches 50, facing slightly downwardly, for the purposes hereinafter to be described.

When the frame 8 is in the position illustrated the display device is self-supporting on a floor or pedestal, the lower bend 34 of the frame 28 providing with the lower frame member l6 essentially a three-point support. In addition, the lower surface of the lower frame member It is provided with wells or sockets 52, so that, if desired, the assembly may be supported on one or more dowels which may be provided on, for example, a pedestal.

In Figure 4 is illustrated the manner in which a trouser leg or a fabric simulating a trouser leg may be draped upon the display device illustrated. The display device It is inserted into the trouser leg 56 with the wire frame 28 folded over against the frame l2. The bottom of the pants leg is then folded to simulate a cufi. Then the frame 28 is pivoted to the position illustrated in the drawing. The lower end of the frame 28 is then drawn outwardly until the bottom end of the trouser leg 56 is taut, the downwardly facing serrations 53 preventing the bottom of the trouser leg 56 from sliding along the frame 28. This tautness holds in shape the cuff 58 which may have been formed without stitching or pinning. When the frame 28 is taut against the bottom portion of the trouser leg 55, a desired sharp crease appearance is produced in the trouser leg.

It will be noted that the efficiency and ease with which the display device achieves these effects is independent of the size of the trouser leg over a wide range of sizes.

In employing the device for a simulated trouser leg made of a suitable fabric, the procedure is similar to that outlined above; the end of the bolt of fabric is first pinned in general simulation of a trouser leg and the display device is applied as described above. bolt of fabric may be draped over the top member M of the frame and the rest of the bolt placed behind the display device. A pleasing and effectiv display of either trousers or fabrics may thus be made by persons with relatively little skill in preparing garments and fabrics for display.

For ease and convenience of storage of the display device the frame 28 is folded flat against the frame 12.

It will readily b understood that the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and described above may be readily altered by persons familiar with such display devices without departing from the spirit and teachings of the invention. Many equivalents may be devised which, although differing in appearance, are within the scope and contemplation of the invention. Thus the scope of the patent protection to be afforded the invention shall not be deemed to be limited by the embodiment herein described, but shall be delineated only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A trouser leg display device comprising a flat back member, a support member pivoted on the back member about an axis extending longitudinally of the back member and located substantially midway between the lateral edges of the back member, said support member having an edge extending downwardly and outwardly from the top end of the back member to a point opposite and spaced from the central portion of the bottom end of the back member in one pivotal position, and said support member lying substantially flat against the back member in another pivotal position, and means for varying said spacing between the lower end of the support member and the lower end of said edgeof the back member in said first pivotal position.

2. A trouser leg display device comprising a flat back member and a support rod having ends pivoted upon the upper and lower ends of the back member about. an axis extending longitudinally of the back member and located substantially midway between the lateral edges of The balance of the the back member, said support rod having a portion extending downwardly and outwardly from the top end of the back member and a portion extending from the lower end of said first por tion to the lower end of the back member in one pivotal position, and said support rod lying substantially flat against the back member in another pivotal position.

3.. A trouser leg display device comprising a frame having top and bottom members and downwardly tapering side members, th lower surface of the top member having a socket therein, and a supporting and shaping rod having an upper end pivoted in the socket and having, in succession, a portion extending to a point opposite the bottom of the frame, a portion substantially normal to the frame, and a slide portion, the bottom member of the frame having thereon a detent selectively engaging the slide portion to permit adjustment of the spacing between the lower end of the rod and the bottom of the frame and pivoting of the rod with respect to the frame.

4. A trouser leg display device comprising a frame having top and bottom members and side members, and a support and shaping rod having an upper end pivoted on the top frame member and having successively a portion extending substantially to a point opposite the bottom of the frame, a portion substantially normal to the frame, and a. slide portion, the bottom member of the fram having thereon a detent selectively engaging the slide portion to lock the rod into position and disengaging. the slide portion to permit adjustment of the spacing between the lower end of the rod and the bottom of the frame and pivoting of. the rod with respect to the frame.

5. A trouser leg display device comprising a frame having top and bottom members and side members, and a support and shaping member pivoted in the top and bottom frame members and having an edge extending substantially to a point opposite the bottom of the frame, the lower extremity of said edge being serrated, an edge substantially normal to the frame, and a slide portion, the bottom member of the frame having thereon a detent selectively engaging the slide portion to lock the support and shaping member into position and disengaging the slide portion topermit-adjustment of the spacing between the lower end of said member and the bottom of the frame and pivoting of said member with respect to the frame.

(i-GA trouser leg display device comprising a back member having a broad upper end and a narrower lower endand tapered sides between said ends; and a-support and trouser crease forming member in a plane perpendicular to the back member and having an edge extending downwardly and outwardly from the center portion of the broad end of the back member to a point opposite and spaced from the central portion of the narrow end of the back member, said support comprising a wire around which fabric to be displayed is folded to simulate a trouser leg crease.

JOHN J. OWENS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name v Date 989,699 Deem Apr. 18, 1911 2,032,872 Friedrichs Mar. 3, I936 

